Roller skate

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a skate including base structure attached to and underlying a durable foot covering having heel and toe ends. A first axle is pivoted to the base structure proximate the heel end and has opposing ends. The opposing ends of the first axle carry opposing parallel first and second in-line wheeled frameworks. A second axle is pivoted to the base structure proximate the toe end and has opposing ends. The opposing ends of the second axle carry opposing parallel third and fourth opposing parallel third and fourth in-line wheeled frameworks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to roller skates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Roller-skating is a recreational and competitive sport in whichthe participants use special shoes fitted with small wheels to moveabout on rinks or paved surfaces. The invention of the roller skateoccurred in the 1760s, but the first practical four-wheel skate wasdesigned in 1863 by James Plimpton of Medford, Mass., U.S., andthereafter the first great recreational roller-skating craze swept theUnited States and western Europe, where many rinks were built.

[0003] By the late 20^(th) century, the wooden or metal wheelstraditionally used in skates had given way to lightweight polyurethaneplastic wheels that grip the riding surface better. Another innovationwas in-line skates, in which a single row of wheels is used in place ofthe standard four-wheeled rectangular configuration.

[0004] Although in-line skates are now very popular providing peoplewith recreation and competitive sport, they are difficult to learn howto use. This is the result of the in-line configuration of the wheels,which does not provide lateral stability. Furthermore, although thestandard four-wheeled rectangular wheel configuration provides thedesirable lateral stability, it provides less linear rolling stabilityand speed over the riding surface than the in-line wheel configuration.Given these and other deficiencies in the art, the need for certain newand useful improvements in the art is evident.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a roller skate having a wheeledconfiguration that provides not only lateral stability, but that is alsocapable of achieving high speeds over a riding surface while providing ahigh level of stability and efficient maneuverability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The above problems and others are at least partially solved andthe above purposes and others realized in an improved skate, inaccordance with the principle of the invention, the skate including basestructure attached to and underlying a durable foot covering having heeland toe ends. Preferably, the base structure is an elongate elementextending from proximate the heel end to proximate the toe end. Theskate has first and second wheeled trucks. The first truck includes afirst axle pivoted to the base structure proximate the heel end andopposing parallel first and second in-line wheeled frameworks. The firstaxle has opposing ends. The first in-line wheeled framework is securedto one of the opposing ends of the first axle and the second in-linewheeled framework secured to the other of the opposing ends of the firstaxle. The second wheeled truck includes a second axle pivoted to thebase structure proximate the toe end and opposing parallel third andfourth in-line wheeled frameworks. The second axle has opposing ends.The third in-line wheeled framework is secured to one of the opposingends of the second axle and the fourth in-line wheeled framework issecured to the other of the opposing ends of the second axle. In apreferred embodiment, the first in-line wheeled framework is in-linewith the third in-line wheeled framework and the second in-line wheeledframework is in-line with the fourth in-line wheeled framework. Thefirst, second, third and fourth in-line wheeled frameworks aresubstantially identical to one another, in that each includes in-linewheels rotated to an attached coupling.

[0007] In another embodiment, a skate includes base structure attachedto and underlying a durable foot covering having heel and toe ends.Preferably, the base structure is an elongate element extending fromproximate the heel end to proximate the toe end. In this embodiment, afirst wheeled truck is attached to the base structure proximate the heelend and a second wheeled truck is attached to the base structureproximate the toe end. One of the first and second wheeled trucksincludes a first axle pivoted to the base structure and opposingparallel first and second in-line wheeled frameworks. The first axle hasopposing ends. The first in-line wheeled framework is secured to one ofthe opposing ends of the first axle and the second in-line wheeledframework secured to the other of the opposing ends of the first axle.Preferably, the second wheeled truck includes a second axle pivoted tothe base structure and opposing parallel third and fourth in-linewheeled frameworks. The second axle has opposing ends. The third in-linewheeled framework is secured to one of the opposing ends of the secondaxle and the fourth in-line wheeled framework is secured to the other ofthe opposing ends of the second axle. In a preferred embodiment, thefirst in-line wheeled framework is in-line with the third in-linewheeled framework and the second in-line wheeled framework is in-linewith the fourth in-line wheeled framework. The first, second, third andfourth in-line wheeled frameworks are substantially identical to oneanother, each including in-line wheels rotated to an attached coupling.

[0008] Consistent with the foregoing, the invention also contemplatesassociated methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Referring to the drawings:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a skate, in accordance with theprinciple of the invention, the skate including base structure attachedto and underlying a durable foot covering having heel and toe ends, andwheeled trucks pivoted to the base structure;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan of the skate of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a fragmented partially exploded perspective view of oneof the wheeled trucks of the skate of FIG. 1; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a fragmented partially exploded perspective view of theskate of FIG. 1 illustrating structural features of one of the wheeledtrucks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference charactersindicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attentionis first directed to FIG. 1 in which is seen a skate, embodying theprinciple of the instant invention, generally indicated by the referencecharacter 10 including base structure 11 attached to and underlying adurable foot covering 12 having heel and toe ends 13,14, and wheeledtrucks 15,16 pivoted to base structure 11. Covering 12 is basically ashoe or boot, namely, protective footgear that is capable of receivingand securing a human foot. Covering 12 is generally representative offootgear commonly found in connection with roller skates and in-lineskates. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, covering 12 includes an upper 17having an attached sole 18. Upper 17 is laced, in that it is furnishedwith a lace 19 used to draw together opposing edges of upper 17. Lace 19can be untied and loosened for allowing the opposing edges of upper 17to be moved apart in order to permit a user to easily insert his foottherein, and then tightened and tied to draw together the opposing edgesof upper 17 securing the foot disposed therein. Those of ordinary skillwill readily appreciate that covering 12 can be substantially anydurable foot covering that is capable of being employed in connectionwith a skate, as in the instant embodiment. In this regard, upper 17 canbe constructed of leather or other natural and/or synthetic materials,and it may be reinforced with internal supports or an external plasticshell. For the purpose of orientation, sole 18 underlies upper 17 andconstitutes the underside of covering 12 from heel end 13 to toe end 14.Sole 18 is made of durable leather, plastic, metal, wood, or othersuitably durable material or combination of materials.

[0015] Base structure 11 is attached to and underlies covering 12.Further to FIG. 1, base structure 11 is attached to the underside ofsole 18 preferably with screws, rivets, adhesive, etc. Base structure 11can be integrally formed with sole 18 if desired and this is within thescope of the invention. Base structure 11 may be considered part of, oran extension of, sole 18. Base structure 11 is durable, strong andrigid, and is formed of material having such characteristics such asplastic, metal, wood, etc., and preferably polyurethane plastic for itslightness and strength. In this specific embodiment, base structure 11is a single piece of material and extends from proximate heel end 13 toproximate toe end 14. Base structure 11 is integrally formed such asthrough molding techniques or machining stock material. Base structure11 can also be constructed of or otherwise made up of a plurality ofseparate parts, whether connected, cooperating together to constitutebase if not in structure then at least in function in accordance withthe teachings of the invention. Base structure 11 facilitates theattachment of trucks 15,16 to covering 12 and also provides anunderlying support for covering 12.

[0016] Looking to FIG. 2, truck 15 includes an axle 30 pivoted to basestructure 11 proximate heel end 13 and opposing parallel in-line wheeledframeworks 31,32. Axle 30 has opposing ends 33,34. Framework 31 issecured to end 33 and framework 32 is secured to end 34. Truck 16includes an axle 40 pivoted to base structure 11 proximate toe end 14and opposing parallel in-line wheeled frameworks 41,42. Axle 40 hasopposing ends 43,44. Framework 41 is secured to end 43 and framework 42is secured to end 44. Preferably, framework 31 is in-line with framework41, and framework 32 is in-line with framework 42. The generalcomposition of trucks 15,16 and the configuration of wheeled frameworks31,32,41,42 is readily depicted in FIG. 2. Accordingly, skate 10 isfurnished with opposing parallel in-line sets of wheels, one set beingthe combination of frameworks 31,41, and the other set being thecombination of frameworks 32,42.

[0017] The structure and attachment of the opposing parallel in-linewheeled frameworks of trucks 15,16 are identical, and the structure ofonly one of the in-line wheeled frameworks will be discussed, namely,framework 31. In this regard and considering truck 15, framework 31includes in-line wheels 50,51 rotated to a coupling 52 attached to end33 of axle 30. Coupling 52 is fashioned from aluminum, titanium, carbonfiber or other suitably strong and resilient material or combination ofmaterials, and is integrally formed or an assembly of various parts.Preferably, in-line wheels 50,51 are each constructed of polyurethaneplastic. Other materials can be used in the construction of wheels50,51. Although two in-line wheels 50,51 are present in the instantembodiment, more can be employed, which is the case with each of thein-line wheeled frameworks of both trucks 15,16. Regarding FIG. 4,coupling 52 is an elongate bifurcate element, as characterized byopposing generally parallel extremities 53,54 defining a space 55therebetween. End 33, which is threaded, extends through opposingcentral openings 47,48 of extremities 54,53, respectively, and issecured with a threaded nut 56. End 33 can be secured to coupling 52 inother ways, such as by welding, a riveted attachment, etc. Preferably,coupling 52 is detachably engaged to axle 30, permitting easy removalthereof for maintenance, repair and replacement. Coupling 52 is attachedto axle 30 between nut 56 and an inwardly disposed abutment 59 of axle30. Preferably, a washer 57 is disposed between nut 56 and extremity 53and a circular spacer 58 encircles axle 30 at space 55 betweenextremities 53,54, preventing extremities 53,54 from collapsing inwardlytoward one another. This attachment of coupling 52 to axle 30 permitscoupling 52 to pivot about axle 30. Wheels 50,51 are rotated at eitherend of coupling on either side of axle 30 and are disposed at space 55.Considering the attachment of wheel 50, an internally threaded end 60Aof a headed axle 60 extends through opposing openings 61,62 throughextremities 54,53, respectively, at one end of coupling 52, and issecured with a screw 63. End 60A can be secured to coupling 52 in otherways, such as by welding, a riveted attachment, etc. Preferably, wheel50 is detachably engaged to coupling 52, permitting easy removal thereoffor maintenance, repair and replacement. That portion of axle 60 betweenextremities 53,54 is disposed through a hub 50A of wheel 50 and wheel 50is capable of rotating about axle 60. The attachment of wheel 51 to theother end of coupling 52 is identical to the attachment of wheel 50 andwill not be discussed. FIG. 3 illustrates framework 31 as it wouldappear assembled and detached from axle 30. Those having regard for theart will readily appreciate that wheels 50,51 can be rotated to coupling52 in other ways. Also, although coupling 52 is a preferred structurefor facilitating the inline attachment of wheels 50,51, those havingregard for the art will readily appreciate that coupling 52 can take onother structural forms such as a single, non-bifurcated element, andwheels 50,51 may be secured for rotation in an inline condition in otherways, consistent with the teachings of the invention.

[0018] Axles 30,40 are carried by fixtures 70,80, respectively, whichare pivoted to base structure 11. Fixture 70 is pivoted proximate heelend 13 and fixture 80 is pivoted proximate toe end 14. The structure andattachment of fixtures 70,80 are identical, and the details of only onewill be discussed, namely, fixture 70. Considering truck 15 and FIG. 4,fixture 70 is a body having opposing ends 71,72. End 71 carries a ball73, which is disposed in a socket 74 of base structure 11, and thepositioning of ball 73 and socket 74 is reversible. Ball 73 is fittedwithin and held by socket 74, and yet is capable of rotating andpivoting within socket 74 as with a conventional ball and socketattachment. End 72 is pivoted to base structure 11 and can be attachedin much the same way as end 71. However, in this embodiment, a headedconnecting element 76 extends through end 72 and secures base structure11, such as threadably or by other suitable connecting means. End 72 iscapable of pivoting and moving relative to element 76. Element 76 isrigidly attached. A resilient bumper 77 encircles a portion of element76 between end 72 and base structure 11 and is captured between end 72and base structure 11. Bumper 77 is made of durable rubber or otherelastomer or spring, permitting end 72 to pivot and providing shockabsorption. Axle 30 is attached to fixture 70 and extends outwardly fromeither side thereof. Axle 30 is considered part of fixture 70. Axle andfixture can be an assembly of various parts or a single piece. With theexception of element 76, fixture 70 and axle 30 can be integrallyformed, such as by casting or machining from aluminum, steel, carbonfiber or other suitably strong, resilient and substantially rigidmaterial or combination of materials.

[0019] The opposing parallel sets of in-line wheels, one set being thewheels frameworks 31,41 and the other being the wheels of frameworks32,42, provide lateral stability for skate 10 and permit skate toadvance smoothly over a riding surface while providing exemplarystability at high speeds. By shifting weight to the left and to theright, the pivoting capability of trucks 15,16 permits a user to turn tothe left and to the right, while allowing the wheels of trucks 15,16 toremain in contact with the riding surface.

[0020] The present invention is described above with reference to apreferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognizethat changes and modifications may be made to the described embodimentwithout departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Forinstance, the wheels of a conventional roller skate of the type havingopposing front and rear axles with four wheels attached thereto in arectangular orientation, can be detached and replaced with the inlinewheeled frameworks of the invention, essentially converting aconventional four wheeled roller skate into a roller skate havingopposing parallel inline wheels, in accordance with the invention.Various other changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosenfor purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in theart. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not departfrom the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be includedwithin the scope thereof, as assessed by a reasonable and fairinterpretation of the ensuing claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus comprising: base structureattached to and underlying a durable foot covering having heel and toeends; a first truck comprising: a first axle pivoted to the basestructure proximate the heel end and having opposing ends, and opposingparallel first and second in-line wheeled frameworks, the first in-linewheeled framework secured to one of the opposing ends of the first axleand the second in-line wheeled framework secured to the other of theopposing ends of the first axle; and a second truck comprising: a secondaxle pivoted to the base structure proximate the toe end and havingopposing ends, and opposing parallel third and fourth in-line wheeledframeworks, the third in-line wheeled framework secured to one of theopposing ends of the second axle and the fourth in-line wheeledframework secured to the other of the opposing ends of the second axle.2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first in-line wheeled framework isin-line with the third in-line wheeled framework.
 3. Apparatus of claim1, wherein the second in-line wheeled framework is in-line with thefourth in-line wheeled framework.
 4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst in-line wheeled framework comprises: a coupling secured to the oneof the opposing ends of the first axle; and in-line wheels rotated tothe coupling.
 5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second in-linewheeled framework comprises: a coupling secured to the other of theopposing ends of the first axle; and in-line wheels rotated to thecoupling.
 6. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third in-line wheeledframework comprises: a coupling secured to the one of the opposing endsof the second axle; and in-line wheels rotated to the coupling. 7.Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth in-line wheeled frameworkcomprises: a coupling secured to the other of the opposing ends of thesecond axle; and in-line wheels rotated to the coupling.
 8. Apparatuscomprising: base structure attached to and underlying a durable footcovering having heel and toe ends; a first wheeled truck attached to thebase structure proximate the heel end and a second wheeled truckattached to the base structure proximate the toe end, one of the firstand second wheeled trucks comprising: a first axle pivoted to the basestructure and having opposing ends, and opposing parallel first andsecond in-line wheeled frameworks, the first in-line wheeled frameworksecured to one of the opposing ends of the first axle and the secondin-line wheeled framework secured to the other of the opposing ends ofthe first axle.
 9. Apparatus of claim 8, the other of the first andsecond wheeled trucks comprising: a second axle pivoted to the basestructure and having opposing ends, and opposing parallel third andfourth in-line wheeled frameworks, the third in-line wheeled frameworksecured to one of the opposing ends of the second axle and the fourthin-line wheeled framework secured to the other of the opposing ends ofthe second.
 10. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first in-line wheeledframework is in-line with the third in-line wheeled framework. 11.Apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second in-line wheeled framework isin-line with the fourth in-line wheeled framework.
 12. Apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the first in-line wheeled framework comprises: acoupling secured to the one of the opposing ends of the first axle; andin-line wheels rotated to the coupling.
 13. Apparatus of claim 8,wherein the second in-line wheeled framework comprises: a couplingsecured to the other of the opposing ends of the first axle; and in-linewheels rotated to the coupling.
 14. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein thethird in-line wheeled framework comprises: a coupling secured to the oneof the opposing ends of the second axle; and in-line wheels rotated tothe coupling.
 15. Apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fourth in-linewheeled framework comprises: a coupling secured to the other of theopposing ends of the second axle; and in-line wheels rotated to thecoupling.
 16. A method comprising steps of: providing base structureattached to and underlying a durable foot covering having heel and toeends; providing a first truck comprising: a first axle having opposingends, and opposing parallel first and second in-line wheeled frameworks,the first in-line wheeled framework secured to one of the opposing endsof the first axle and the second in-line wheeled framework secured tothe other of the opposing ends of the first axle; providing a secondtruck comprising: a second axle having opposing ends, and opposingparallel third and fourth in-line wheeled frameworks, the third in-linewheeled framework secured to one of the opposing ends of the second axleand the fourth in-line wheeled framework secured to the other of theopposing ends of the second; pivoting the first axle to the basestructure proximate the heel end; and pivoting the second axle to thebase structure proximate the toe end; wherein the first in-line wheeledframework is in-line with the third in-line wheeled framework and thesecond in-line wheeled framework is in-line with the fourth in-linewheeled framework.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first in-linewheeled framework comprises: a coupling secured to the one of theopposing ends of the first axle; and in-line wheels rotated to thecoupling.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second inline wheeledframework comprises: a coupling secured to the other of the opposingends of the first axle; and in-line wheels rotated to the coupling. 19.The method of claim 16, wherein the third in-line wheeled frameworkcomprises: a coupling secured to the one of the opposing ends of thesecond axle; and in-line wheels rotated to the coupling.
 20. The methodof claim 1, wherein the fourth in-line wheeled framework comprises: acoupling secured to the other of the opposing ends of the second axle;and in-line wheels rotated to the coupling.